All in all, the Commander is a well-executed, all-around performer on and off-road, as a suburban utility vehicle or wilderness explorer; and it conducts its business with unmistakable brand recognition and style. The TrailBlazer should have screamed "super sport" in the same way that the Commander radiates "trail rated." The Mark LT should have the tightly screwed-together fit and finish and the entertainment offerings of the Commander's well-appointed interior. The Explorer, which comes the closest to the Commander as an all-around winner, lacks the nimbleness and relative engine performance of the slightly smaller Commander. The Tribeca is simply too car-like to offer the same utility of the Commander.
With its amenities, handling, and visual appeal, the '06 Jeep Commander Limited 4x4 was the clear and obvious choice for the Truckin' SUV of the Year Award.
Some standard features as tested: 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels, brake traction control, tire pressure monitoring system, electronic stability program (ESP) with electronic roll mitigation, side-occupant protection system with side-curtain airbags, Boston Acoustics premium sound system (AM/FM/MP3/six-disc CD player), infrared dual-zone climate control with solar-sensing function, sycamore interior trim, luxury leather-trimmed seats, rain-sensitive automatic wipers, Jeep memory system, SmartBeam intelligent headlamps, foglamps, ParkSense rear-park assist system, power sunroof with CommandView skylights.
Optional features as tested: 5.7L Hemi V-8 with Multi-Displacement System (MDS), Quadrat-Drive IJ Active 4WD with electronic limited-slip differentials (ELSD), DVD rear-seat entertainment system, navigation system with large color screen.
Final Price: $38,205Aftermarket Upgrades:Suspension lift, bigger wheels and tires, engine performance upgrades.